TOKYO – Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received on Wednesday Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during the latter’s visit to Japan, aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

In the first act of his visit – set to continue until the weekend – Moreno met the royal couple in one of the visitors’ rooms at the palace, a spokesperson for the Imperial Household Agency told EFE.

Moreno was accompanied by his wife Rocio Gonzalez during the royal audience and the couple are set to attend an official dinner hosted by the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe later on Wednesday.

This is Moreno’s first visit to Japan since he assumed office in May 2017, and is aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries and commemorating 100 years of diplomatic ties, the Ecuadorian foreign ministry said.

Moreno and Abe will hold a meeting in the latter’s office before the dinner, followed by a press meeting and the signing of bilateral documents.

On Thursday, Moreno will meet representatives of Keidanren, the main business chamber of the country, and executives of some of the biggest Japanese companies in Tokyo.

On the same day he will go to an official event commemorating 100 years of the establishment of bilateral ties in Japan, attended by Japanese authorities, the Ecuadorian diaspora and other guests.

Japan was the first Asian country to establish diplomatic ties with Ecuador, on Aug. 26, 1918.

Moreno will conclude his official agenda on Friday with a visit to the eastern city of Kyoto, to present business and investment opportunities in Ecuador in addition to visiting industrial units and meeting local officials.